WEYMOUTH manager Mark Molesley said he was delighted with the Terras’ ‘blood and guts’ performance after their 2-1 victory at Banbury United in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.
Harry Baker got a brace to seal the points while a Tom Winters shot that deflected off Abdulai Baggie was Banbury’s reply.
Molesley said: “I’m delighted, absolutely delighted. I’m really pleased. It was an ugly 2-1 win, it was windy, wet and muddy against a real big stubborn Banbury side who made us defend for large spells.”
Molesley was very happy with the performance shown from his young side in the match where the defence was put under serious pressure.
Molesley said: “For such a young side to go away and play in conditions like that and to stick at it and come away 2-1 I think that shows what great characteristics this young group have got.”
He praised Mark Travers’ performance in goal as he made some great saves to keep Weymouth in the lead.
Molesley said: “I thought our goalkeeper was absolutely outstanding, no one would have guessed that he is 19-years-old in that goal. He played like a veteran in goal I thought.”
The Terras were pegged in the 45th minute when a shot from Winters deflected off Abdulai Baggie.
The Banbury equaliser came after Baker had scored in the fourth minute.
Speaking about the Puritans goal Molesley said: “It was really disappointing because I felt that we had snuffed it out but we did ride our luck a little bit before the end of the first half, we sat a little bit deep and we invited the pressure on a little bit.
“I was thinking just get to half time and see it through.”
Molesley is happy with how his side are showing themselves to the fans and is pleased with the team spirit.
Molesley said: “I think the fans that travelled can see that the team there they will just fight to the death and they will stick together and they will battle and then show all of those traits again.”
The team had some great chances as Goodship had two good chances early on while Harry Baker also went close but found the Puritans’ keeper in good form.
Molesley said: “I was happy with the amount we created, their goalkeeper was in good form as well so it was a blood and guts performance.
“We did attack well, when we got the ball we did have a lot of chances, it was an end to end game really.”
The defence held firm despite the pressure as the Terras saw out their sixth win in their last eight games in all competitions.
Molesley said: “We had to defend, we had to be big and brave and strong and we had to cover each other and we did that.
“If they did get through and get a sniff at goal Mark Travers snuffed it out with some great aerial catches, with three or four outstanding saves.
“It was a great three points for us.”
He gave praise to Baker for his display saying: “It was an energetic, bustling performance from Baker. Two goals, he could have had a hattrick, the keeper made a great save from him in the first half as well.
“He was lively and in the right place at the right time like he has done so much this season.”
The match also saw Ashley Wells make a late appearance when he replaced Baggie in the 89th minute.
Next up for the Terras is the first of two home games over Christmas against Redditch United, whose manager Darren Byfield left by mutual consent after their 2-2 draw with St Neots Town on Saturday.
Photo: Edwin Barson
